A new method was proposed for the enrichment of triphenyltin in water samples by beta-cyclodextrin cross-linking polymer and the quantitative determination of tin in triphenyltin by hydride-generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The chemical conditions and instrumental conditions were investigated and optimized. The method is sensitive and precise. The detection limit is 0.1 ng x mL(-1) and the RSD 2.64% (for 0.04 microg x mL(-1)). The proposed method has been successfully applied to the determination of triphenyltin in various water samples.